City of Worcester, MA

COVID-19 Update for April 16; 963 Positive Cases

For Immediate Release: 4/16/2020 6:06 pm

The City of Worcester has released the following COVID-19 update for April 16:

• There are now 963 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the City of Worcester.
  
  
• Positive cases for surrounding towns: Shrewsbury: 103, Grafton: 39, Holden: 29, Leicester: 17
  
  
• Since April 1, Worcester has seen an increase of 848 new cases (average of 57 new cases per day). 
  
  
• As of today, there are 25 positive patients at the homeless shelter at Worcester Technical High School.
  
  
• SMOC is retesting all clients today (about 80). Approximately 30 clients will be moved to the overflow location at the MLK Jr. building on Chandler Street once test results come back.
  
  
• The Worcester Police Department has a total of 5 positive cases (3 of the positive members are quarantined). Six other officers are self-quarantined as a result of exposure to the positive cases.
  
  
• The Worcester Fire Department has a total of 6 positive cases. All six have been cleared to return to duty; three members are in self-quarantine.
  
  
• All combined medical facilities of Saint Vincent Hospital and UMass Memorial Health Care had 204 total COVID-positive in-patients and 83 total COVID-positive ICU patients today. To date, their facilities have had 40 total COVID-related deaths. A total of 112 of their employees have tested positive for the virus.
  
  
• As of today, the field hospital at the DCU Center had 9 patients. 
  
  
• Nursing home updates: 

  Blaire House (Worcester): 12 positive patients (3 negative patients); 4 positive staff (2 staff pending results); Waiting on test kits to test remaining patients.

  Beaumont (Worcester): Currently 58 patients in house - all positive; 1 death reported on April 14; 2 patients discharged and sent home.

  Holy Trinity (Worcester): 45 positive patients; 10 staff out that are either positive or symptomatic (32 staff still to be tested)

  Jewish Healthcare Center (Worcester): 29 positive patients in house (17 patients have recovered); 24 positive staff; 22 negative staff; 13 deaths reported to date

  Parson’s Hill (Worcester): 1 positive patient in hospital; 1 result pending; 3 positive staff (all from one unit)

  Shrewsbury Nursing and Rehab: 14 positive patients; 13 staff out (6 positive, 1 negative, 6 pending results); Majority of patients testing positive are asymptomatic.

• MassHire in Worcester has services and programs for everyone who is looking for a job or companies looking for employees. Those seeking employment help should visit: masshirecentral.com.

• To date, Worcester Together has raised more than $4.2 million and distributed 51 grants totaling $616,000. On Monday, Principal Luke Robert from the May Street School started organizing a fundraising campaign for the Worcester Public Schools. As of 3 p.m. today the Worcester Public Schools staff and administration have raised almost $15,000. To donate visit: worcesterma.gov/coronavirus or text worcestercovid19 to 243725.
  
  
• Today the City Manager recognized another unsung hero within the City workforce, Ari Winograd, Preparedness Coordinator for the City’s Emergency Management Division. He also serves as the vice-chair of Worcester’s Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). He has been with the Emergency Management Division for five months and previously worked for the City’s Division of Public Health in the Emergency Preparedness Division. Ari also works as a Firefighter/EMT and EMS Coordinator for the Town of Sherborn. Ari received his undergraduate degree from Clark University then went on to receive his Masters in Homeland Security with a focus in Emergency Management and Geographical Information Technology. Ari is currently the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Manager within the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has been working tirelessly and passionately on streamlining all information surrounding this incident as well as managing all EOC staff and resources dedicated to this response.  
  
  
• Senior Center update: Number of seniors contacted to date: 3,842; Outreach phone calls made today: 224; Number of meals delivered to seniors in Worcester today: 951. 
  
  
• The City of Worcester COVID-19 information line can be reached at 508-799-1019. This service is available in multiple languages. Individuals can speak live with a nurse, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.